On the evening of Thursday 16th May 2013 Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Pragna Puram, the campus of the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG). In a comprehensive speech, Shri Narendra Modi stressed on the importance of research, innovation and education and described Pragna Puram as an effort to further light the lamp of education in the lives of the people. Shri Modi pointed that Pragna Puram is an endeavour to merge the various streams of knowledge and add life into them. He also urged the people to support the effort made by the Government. Shri Modi declared that there is no bigger investment than spending on education and spending on educators because this is what creates generations.
Shri Modi pointed out that a nation like China has the barrier of language, which our youth does not. At the same time our youth has made a mark in the IT field yet, in computer engineering education the Chinese are ahead of us. Likewise, he shared that while five Chinese universities rank among the top universities of the world, there is not a single Indian university in this list and these are challenges for us. Shri Modi stated that India is the world’s most youthful nation and this is a demographic dividend but while China created 13 crore jobs in the last decade, India could not even create a few lakh jobs from 2004-2009. He affirmed that Gujarat made an effort but overall, if the numbers between India and China are compared there is a vast difference. At the same time, he said that along with tapping the demographic dividend of the youth, we should harness the longevity dividend, which is the experience of our senior citizens.
Shri Modi spoke about the importance of asking questions. He said that if there are no questions, how could one be inspired to see, hear and learn things? He declared, “We are from the land of Nachiketa, who even had the courage to question Yamraj on what is death!”
The Chief Minister brought out the time-tested link between our civilization and knowledge creation. He shared that Vallabhi in Gujarat was a very renowned university, which drew students from across the world. He also stated that years of slavery brought about a decline, which was left unchecked in the last 60 years since we attained Independence. Shri Modi added that there is a vacuum of 60 years and a lots remains to be done.
Earlier, Education Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama spoke on the occasion. He spoke about the strides made by Gujarat in the field of education. Revenue Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel and Minister of State for Education Smt. Vasuben Trivedi were also present.
